A view of Taal Volcano within Taal Lake in Tagaytay
The Philippines is a tropical country that has no snowy winter weather just like those from Europe, the US, Japan, and South Korea where once a year when winter comes many roads are covered in snow.
But there are also some places in the Philippines where cool weather is in effect all year long. Some of them are Baguio City, La Trinidad, and Mt. Pulag in Benguet, Sagada, and Bontoc in Mountain Province, Banaue in Ifugao, Malaybalay, and Lantapan in Bukidnon, and Tagaytay in Cavite.
Of all the places that I mentioned Tagaytay City does only have cool weather during the months of December and January which is a perfect getaway during the Christmas season and at the beginning of the year.
Trivia
Here are some trivia about the places that I mentioned to encourage you to visit and experience the hospitality of the Filipino people.
Banaue is home to the world-famous Banaue Rice Terraces, a UNESCO world heritage site, and is once included in the "Eight Wonder of the World". Baguio City is home to the Philippine Military Academy, the premier military academy in the country, and is called the summer capital of the Philippines because of its cool weather and beautiful tourist destinations.
Sagada and Bontoc are also popular because of their scenic beauty and cool weather. Tagaytay City is very popular because of the Taal Lake and Taal Volcano. Reputedly, Taal Volcano is the smallest volcano in the world that is located within Taal Lake. The lake is home to Sardinella Tawilis, a freshwater sardine that can only be found in the Taal Lake itself.
Mt. Pulag is a popular destination for mountaineers because of its cool and misty weather and it is the third highest peak in the Philippines. Malaybalay in Bukidnon is now officially called the summer capital of the south.
The Travel
Of all the travel that I have done, this is probably the most unexpected of them all, why? I'll let you know, keep reading.
Since I already visited Baguio City numerous times and Ilocos last year (2019) still on my bucket list is Tagaytay, one of the most famous tourist destinations in the Philippines because of its scenic beauty specifically the view of Picnic Grove with Taal Lake and Taal Volcano in its background.
It was the last day of the month of January when a close office mate of mine approached me and he said, "we're going to Tagaytay tomorrow, wanna come?". Of course, I said yes, this article would have ceased to exist if I declined.
It was unexpected and I am not ready, to be honest. I am not ready as evident in the clothes that I wore during the trip. I usually travel in shorts and slippers back then. I have no shorts available at that time so I just wore black leather shoes, black slacks pants, and a red polo shirt.
Oh, I forgot to mention that this travel actually happened way back on January 31, 2014. Luckily I was able to keep the photos that I took on this travel.
We started our travel at six o'clock in the morning to avoid traffic on our way. Our first stop was on an exit of an expressway, we stopped not to take photos but to wait for other members of the convoy but we took photos anyway.
At South Luzon Expressway exit
After about five minutes of waiting, the rest of the convoy arrived then we continued our travel and then at about past seven o'clock we began to feel hungry so we decided to stop whenever we see a restaurant.
After about five minutes of driving, we did see a restaurant, so we stopped and bought some hearty and delicious breakfast.
My breakfast, buttered sizzling squid with sweet corn
After eating our breakfast we continued our travel for about more than an hour and before we knew it we are already at our destination, Tagaytay City.
This city is actually about more than one hour's drive from Quezon City in Metro Manila where we began our travel. It is one of the famous tourist destinations in the Philippines.
This city became famous because of its famous Picnic Grove with Taal Lake and Taal Volcano in its background and also because it was immortalized on a postcard and used by local Filipino actors and actresses as a location for their movies.
We decided to stop on a paid parking lot and again waited for the rest of the convoy. After the rest of the convoy arrived we agreed that we first take a walk at Picnic Grove.
So we walked a couple of minutes and before we know it we are already staring at Taal Lake.
Overlooking Taal lake at Picnic Grove
Another view of Taal Lake at Picnic Grove
We walked a couple of minutes more then we came across a wooden bridge built for the purpose of tourists use to have a better look at Taal Lake. We crossed that bridge, walked for quite a bit more then we decided to leave Picnic Grove and go to the highest peak in the city, People's Park in the Sky.
A wooden bridge overlooking Taal Lake and Taal Volcano
After about thirty minutes of walking and sightseeing, I decided to look for the famous view of the Picnic Grove that is immortalized on postcards and frequently used in movies.
Below is a photo of me right at the most famous view on the Picnic Grove, I can't quite get a clear photo of it because of the fog.
A photo me on the most famous view of Picnic Grove
After we visited Picnic Grove we decided to go to People's Park in the Sky, the highest peak in Tagaytay where you can see the whole province of Cavite.
While at the park you can feel the cool breeze coming from the mountains in the surrounding area.
Getting into "People's Park in the Sky" needs riding a jeep, authorities do not allow tourists to bring their vehicles on top of the summit because it will cause traffic jams.
Jeeps are also not allowed to enter the summit, a terminal is allocated for the jeeps where they unload their passengers (tourists) then tourists will walk about four hundred meters to the top.
People's Park in the Sky signage
One of my officemate's son walking up to People's Park in the Sky
We actually couldn't contain our excitement while we are walking on our way up to the park so I took photos are many as I can, below are the photos that I took.
Some of my officemates going up to "People's Park in the Sky"
We are all excited that's why we are all smiles!
Still walking...
Let's go, run!
They are already on top...
A view on top of People's Park in the Sky
Now that I arrived at the park's summit I find out that the view on the summit is actually breathtaking because you can see almost the entirety of the province of Cavite and some parts of Batangas.
Tagaytay is actually a part of the province of Cavite. Taal Lake where Taal Volcano is located belongs to the province of Batangas. It just happens that Tagaytay has an overlooking view of Taal Lake.
The weather at the top is very cool and fog can be seen around the park even if it is already about ten o'clock in the morning. I think the cool breeze is coming from the mountains surrounding the park and as you can see in the following photos below the fog is still visible in the photos.
I must say that this view is one of my favorite in the entire trip
Taking photos in a breezy summit
They are enjoying the views
She is all smile, she should be, the view really make you smile
A view of Taal Lake at People's Park in the Sky
Looking beyond
Also, on top are pineapple-like structures where you can get inside and take photos.
I'm inside a pineapple
A closeup of the pineapple structure
Of course, I got some photo of me too
Another photo of me
While on top, some photo-worthy views of the park can be seen and some of them are the empty auditorium and another is a makeshift bridge.
Scenic empty auditorium seats
A makeshift bridge
A makeshift bridge (below) and a statue (top right)
Did I just say that this trip happened in 2014? Yep, I just said that a while ago and 2014 is the year where jump shot photography was the thing, so I urged some of my officemates to take a jump shot.
And here's the photo of my officemates' jump shot
As we are walking around the park we stumble upon some views that are photography worthy below are some of those photos.
I am the king of the world! Behind is Taal Lake
Another great view of Taal Lake
Panoramic view from People's Park in the Sky (click to enlarge)
Some structure that can be seen at the park
A mountain and behind is Taal Lake
Nipa huts below "People's Park in the Sky"
Another view of the makeshift bridge
And that's all about People's Park in the Sky. But before we went to our next destination we noticed that there are stores selling souvenirs so we check them out.
As it turns out there are many things that we can buy but we just settled for some t-shirts.
Inspecting a T-shirt
Look, he is pointing at something
And here's the T-shirt that I bought (I actually bought five pieces for my siblings)
These little T-shirts are very cute (for car windshield)
Walking takes a lot of energy on our body, with that said, after walking on our way to People's Park in the Sky, walk around the summit, bought some souvenirs, and walking down to where the jeep terminals are located.
It is now about eleven o'clock in the morning, and we are now really hungry, so we decided to look for a restaurant and have a hearty lunch before we continue exploring the rest of Tagaytay.
While driving to look for a restaurant to we agreed that after taking our lunch our next destination will be Sky Ranch.
After a couple of minutes' drive, we found a restaurant named Taaleña. The food at this restaurant is great. We ordered and while waiting for the food to be served we found out that the restaurant has a backyard overlooking Taal Lake and Taal Volcano.
So, while waiting for our orders to be served we went to the backyard and did photography galore for remembrance.
Taaleña restaurant entrance
Group photo at Taaleña backyard while waiting for our food to be served
A view of Taal Lake and Taal Volcano behind Taaleña restaurant
Two of my former officemates
A nipa hut at Taaleña restaurant's backyard
After a couple of minutes, lunch is served. We ate heartily to get our energy back. While eating we talked and shared about the things that we have seen and experience so far.
And based on the experiences that we shared we are all happy to have made this trip. We agreed to enjoy every minute of the trip because it could be a once a lifetime trip.
I admit, being an employee took almost all of the time out of your week's schedule. So, being on this trip took the perfect time to be made.
Talking and sharing experiences while eating also takes time, before we know it our lunch took thirty minutes to finish.
After taking our lunch we rest for a while took some photos again at the backyard of the restaurant then we proceeded to our next destination, Sky Ranch.
Sky Ranch is a very popular tourist destination at night because of its amusement rides which come alive at night. If you are with your family you can have your children ride the Ferris Wheel or the Carousel.
Take note, if you are going to visit Sky Ranch at night particularly during the months of December and November make sure to bring a sweater because the weather is cold within those months. During our visit, we even experienced fogging between six and eight o'clock in the evening and it could even be cooler later at night.
Sky Ranch at dusk
Sky Ranch at dusk
Sky Ranch's Ferris Wheel at night
A view of Ferris Wheel outside Sky Ranch
Inside Sky Ranch
Getting close at the Ferris Wheel
A closer look of the Ferris wheel
Group photo near the Ferris Wheel and Carousel
If you plan to ride all the amusement rides on Sky Ranch at night you really have to wear your sweater and after you rode all the rides don't leave yet and wait for the finale, the fireworks.
Yes, there's a firework every night at Sky Ranch. Luckily, I managed to take some photos of it.
Red fireworks
Green fireworks
White fireworks
Another red fireworks
And that's about my trip to Tagaytay, I highly recommend that you visit Tagaytay because it is one of the oldest and traditional tourists destination in the Philippines.
See you next time. Take care guys.
